SAFEGUARDING - A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

Your Safeguarding Officer is: Grace Padfield, Deputy is George Rabczak Their phone numbers are available through Church Suite and you can contact them safeguarding@westwiltsvineyard.com

You will have an assigned Safeguarding Officer for your week of service. Please familiarise yourself with who is on your week. The safeguarding team are trained to handle safeguarding issues that may arise within the church context. You can read our Safeguarding Policy here.

Below is a general safeguarding summary. 

There is a commitment across the whole church / organisation to follow the policy and procedures issued by the Trustees, Leadership and Safeguarding Officer. There is also a desire to cultivate awareness and responsibility towards the welfare and safety of young people and vulnerable adults within our care. Please could we ask you to be aware and honour the following as we continue to make WWV a safe place: 

  • Adults, who may be at risk of harm, should be made aware of who to contact if they have a concern about their well being and safety.

  • Please be mindful about people's personal space - not everyone wants to be hugged, crowded around or have someone close to them. 

  • Please look after yourself by not placing yourself in a vulnerable position. If a child/youth naturally wants to hug you, make sure other adults are around. In the same way, do not assume it is OK to hug/pick up other children. If you find yourself left alone with a child or vulnerable adult - move to where you can be seen by others. This is to keep you safe as a volunteer.

  • Please respect any no go areas when Children/youth work is in progress.

  • In the very unlikely case that an adult, child, or youth will approach you to offer sensitive information - i.e. disclose something, please make sure that you never promise confidentiality. An allegation may lead to a criminal investigation, so it is important not to ask leading questions or to attempt to investigate an allegation. Please write everything down in their words and contact a Safeguarding Officer or Deputy with immediate effect. Please keep all your notes - this is important. Most importantly, do not look shocked. Keep calm and make them comfortable while you contact your Safeguarding Officer.

  • Please do not add a Youth or Vulnerable Adult to any Social Media.